We are doing science for policy

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is the European Commission's science and knowledge service which employs scientists to carry out research in order to provide independent scientific advice and support to EU policy.

Research

Our scientific work supports a whole host of EU policies in a variety of areas from agriculture and food security, to environment and climate change, as well as nuclear safety and security and innovation and growth.

Our research topics give a deeper insight into that support of EU policy, while you can also discover the unique laboratories and facilities where our scientists work.

News & Events

Our news gives you an insight into our support of EU policy and highlights the scientific research carried out everyday within the European Commission.

You can also sign up for our monthly newsletter for all the latest information directly to your inbox and check out our events for opportunities to participate. Or check out our photos and videos for an instant look at the world of science at the European Commission.

European TTO circle A network of the Technology Transfer offices of the largest public research organisations in Europe

Sharing scientific knowledge across boundaries

Our communities bring together individuals interested in sharing scientific knowledge and experiences and to exchange ideas and learning, with the aim to better serve and inform EU policy and the citizen.

Each community is governed individually and membership requests are dealt with by the moderator. Some areas are restricted.

FAQ

Are children of contract staff and auxiliary contract staff required to pay school fees?

As Category I pupils, children of contract staff and auxiliary contract staf

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f are exempt from schools fees (known as the "Minerval"). This exemption is accorded provided that "the parent of the child in Category I is employed directly and without interruption by a Community institution or other organisation as decided by the Board of Governors for a minimum period of 1 year". However, the "the right to being a Category I pupil only takes effect from the date on which the existence of a contract of at least one year duration can be proven. This right cannot be applied retroactively." Contract Staff employed for less than one year or those whose contracts are temporarily interrupted are subject to school fees for the period concerned. School fees are calculated on a monthly basis, with each month counting for 1/10 of the school year.

Are CRMs generally produced under an accreditation scheme?

The appropriate standard for the production of reference materials is ISO Gu

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ide 34 “General quality requirements for the production of reference materials”, but it is understood that measurements must comply with the provisions of ISO 17025. There are only very few reference material producers accredited to ISO Guide 34 yet. The Reference Materials Unit of IRMM was the first organisation in Europe to achieve accreditation to ISO Guide 34 for the production of CRMs.

Are ERM® materials only for Europeans?

No.

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ERM-CRMs are suitable for any user who requires reference materials of the highest level of assurance. ERM® materials are available from a number of reference material distributors who make them available worldwide. But membership of reference materials producers in the ERM® co-operation is open only to producers located in the European Union, who can demonstrate that they meet certain defined membership criteria. Materials marketed under the ERM® brand have been produced in accordance with the principles laid down in ISO Guides 34 and 35 and have been subject to extensive review by all member organisations.

Are the GMO CRMs of IRMM checked for the presence/absence of other GM events than the one certified?

The GMO CRMs are gravimetric mixtures of pure GM and non-GM powders certifie

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d for a specific GM event as mass fraction (g/kg). IRMM verifies the purity of the two raw materials used for production with respect to the presence of the particular GM event that is certified. The CRMs are not certified for the absence or adventitious presence of other (contaminating) GM events.The GMO CRMs can be used as positive controls for the certified GM event for instance to validate a screening method. However, the GMO CRMs should not be used as negative controls for any other GM event than the one certified. Also the blank material of each series is certified to contain less than the certified amount for a given GM event and the absence of this event can not be guaranteed.For additional information IRMM has conducted a study to verify the GM composition of 33 raw materials used for the production of the GMO CRMs. Those raw materials have been tested by quantitative PCR for the presence/absence of 39 single GM targets known for 7 plant species. It needs to be noted that adventitious presence of other GM events is likely to be heterogeneously distributed over the batch of raw material and needs to be taken into account when comparing the results obtained so far. These results are summarised inthis document and provide an indication about possible adventitious presence.

Are the GMO CRMs of IRMM checked for the presence/absence of other GM events than the one certified?

The GMO CRMs are gravimetric mixtures of pure GM and non-GM powders certifie

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d for a specific GM event as mass fraction (g/kg). IRMM verifies the purity of the two raw materials used for production with respect to the presence of the particular GM event that is certified. The CRMs are not certified for the absence or adventitious presence of other (contaminating) GM events.

The GMO CRMs can be used as positive controls for the certified GM event for instance to validate a screening method. However, the GMO CRMs should not be used as negative controls for any other GM event than the one certified. Also the blank material of each series is certified to contain less than the certified amount for a given GM event and the absence of this event can not be guaranteed.

For additional information IRMM has conducted a study to verify the GM composition of 33 raw materials used for the production of the GMO CRMs. Those raw materials have been tested by quantitative PCR for the presence/absence of 39 single GM targets known for 7 plant species. It needs to be noted that adventitious presence of other GM events is likely to be heterogeneously distributed over the batch of raw material and needs to be taken into account when comparing the results obtained so far. These results are summarised in the FAQ GMO_attachment.pdf and provide an indication about possible adventitious presence.

Are there any particular pre-conditions for engagement?

National of one of the Member States (proven by passport or identity ca

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rd), derogations to this rule are possible for non-EU Nationals;

having fulfilled any obligation concerning military service (proven by an official declaration from the authority responsible for military service);

with appropriate character references as to his/her suitability for the performance of duties (proven by a recent certificate of good conduct issued for a public administration by the police or another relevant authority);

The contract staff member is subject to a medical examination by a medical officer of the institution in order to conform to Article 82, §3, item (d) of the conditions of employment of other servants;

A detailed knowledge of one of the official languages of the European Union and a satisfactory knowledge of another Union language to the extent necessary for the performance of his/her duties is required.

Can contract staff and auxiliary contract staff benefit from the European Schools system?

The rules governing the organisation and functioning of European schools are

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set by a series of decisions of the Board of Governors, which is the highest decision-making body for the European Schools system. The Commission sits on the Board of Governors, but only has one vote out of a total of 29. According to the rules set by the Board of Governors, children of statutory staff (those covered by the CEOS, which includes contract staff and auxiliary contract staff) are Category I pupils.

Can I find employment at the JRC?

The JRC employs some 2750 staff and has an active policy of attrac

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ting bright and able scientists. Staffs come from throughout the EU, and from the applicant countries, bringing their skills and talents to help resolve current scientific issues. Major advantages are offered by the scientific and cultural diversity in the JRC's multidisciplinary Institutes and cross-Institute scientific collaboration on focused actions. There are various opportunities to work and train with the JRC, which range from permanent appointments to fellowships for young researchers and senior scientists (see the jobs section). There are also possibilities for short and long-term collaboration with the JRC.